The collapse of the Soviet Union
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the events that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Key learning points
- From 1989, the Soviet Union lost control of Eastern Europe and Germany was reunified as a democratic state.
- The Warsaw Pact ended in July 1991.
- In August 1991, Gorbachev was briefly overthrown by a coup and when he returned to power his authority was weakened.
- From 1990 onwards, demands for independence from Soviet republics critically weakened the Soviet Union.
- On 25th December 1991, Gorbachev resigned as Soviet leader and announced the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Keywords
Reunification - bringing things or people back together after they have been separated
Coup - a sudden and illegal takeover of a government, usually by a small group of people, often involving the military
Republic - one of the multiple states that were joined together as part of the Soviet Union under the central Soviet government
Dissolution - when a country or organisation officially ends or breaks apart
Common misconception
The collapse of the Soviet Union happened suddenly.
The collapse of the Soviet Union was a complex process that unfolded over several years, starting with political reforms under Mikhail Gorbachev in the late 1980s and culminating in the formal dissolution in December 1991.
Teacher tip
Show students the Gorbachev Pizza Hut commercial (search Pizza Hut Gorbachev TV Spot Commercial) to give a sense of the divided opinions about Gorbachev's legacy in the 1990s. How realistic do students think the end of the commercial is about Gorbachev's legacy in the former Soviet Union?
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which term describes a country that is dominated by another country?
Q2.Complete the sentence: On 7th December 1988, Mikhail Gorbachev, announced that the Soviet Union was rejecting the Brezhnev .
Q3.What was the Velvet Revolution?
Q4.Which countries in Eastern Europe peacefully broke away from the USSR?
Q5.When was the East German government forced to open the border with West Germany?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which term describes bringing things or people back together after they have been separated?
Q2.Complete the sentence: In August 1991, Gorbachev was briefly overthrown by a and when he returned to power his authority was weakened.
Q3.When did the Warsaw Pact come to an end?
Q4.Why was Gorbachev's new approach described as the ‘Sinatra Doctrine’?
Q5.Which event made it clear that the Warsaw Pact was in decline?
Q6.Match the evidence to the viewpoint of Gorbachev following his reform attempt.
had many admirers and won an award for peace
became increasingly unpopular and was forced to step down
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The collapse of the Soviet Union, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The collapse of the Soviet Union, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.